Window protector for windows in soft top vehicles

ABSTRACT

Soft top window assemblies may include a flexible window coupled with a fabric window structure, and a screen disposed over a surface of the flexible window. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present Application for Patent claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/428,506 entitled “Devices For Vehicles With Soft Tops Like a Jeep” filed Nov. 30, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology discussed below relates generally to automotive features, and more specifically to devices for protecting flexible windows on vehicles with a soft top.

BACKGROUND

JEEP is a brand of American automobiles that makes sport utility vehicles and off-road vehicles. Some models of vehicles produced under the JEEP brand include options to use a soft top. Soft tops typically include windows that are flexible, instead of typical windows made from rigid glass. These flexible windows are more prone to scratching and similar damage. One or more aspects of the present disclosure include devices configured to protect such windows.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

The following summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of the discussed technology. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated features of the disclosure, and is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of all aspects of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the disclosure in summary form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

Various examples and implementations of the present disclosure facilitate protection of flexible windows in vehicles with a soft top. According to at least one embodiment, a soft top window assembly may include a flexible window coupled with a fabric window structure. A first screen may be disposed over a first surface of the flexible window.

Further aspects of the present disclosure include vehicle soft tops. According to at least one embodiment, a vehicle soft top may include a soft top structure configured to be coupled to a vehicle. At least one flexible window may be coupled to the soft top structure. A first screen may be disposed over a first surface of the at least one flexible window.

Still additional aspects of the present disclosure include vehicles. According to at least one embodiment, a vehicle may include a roll bar, and a soft top coupled to the roll bar. The soft top may include at least one flexible window, and a first screen disposed over a first surface of the at least one flexible window.

Other aspects, features, and embodiments associated with the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a vehicle where one or more aspects of the present disclosure may find application.

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation view of a soft top window assembly according to at least one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional schematic diagram of a soft top window assembly according to at least one example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are, in some instances, not actual views of any particular window protector or vehicle, but are merely idealized representations which are employed to describe one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a vehicle 100 where one or more aspects of the present disclosure may find application. The vehicle 100 includes a top structure that is commonly referred to as a soft top 102, since it is typically made of a relatively flexible material compared to metal that is typically used for other vehicles. The soft top 102 is coupled to roll bars of the vehicle 100. The soft top 102 includes windows 104. In some instances, the windows 104 of the soft top 102 are configured to be opened by, for example, unzipping or otherwise disconnecting the window 104 from a portion of the soft top 102. Such windows 104 are typically made from a relatively flexible material to facilitate folding the window 104 out of the way when open. For example, the windows 104 in the soft top 102 may be made of a plastic material compared to conventional vehicle windows that are typically made of a rigid glass. Such flexible materials are often subject to damage, such as scratches, when objects rub against the windows 104 on either the inside or outside of the window material. Accordingly, one or more aspects of the present disclosure include devices configured to protect windows 104 of a soft top 102 from scratching and other similar damage.

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation view of a soft top window assembly 200 according to at least one example of the present disclosure. The window assembly 200 includes a window (e.g., window 104 in FIG. 1), and a protective screen 202 disposed over one or both surfaces of the window 104. The protective screen 202 is depicted with a hatch pattern to indicate that the screen 202 can be formed of a mesh material made of metal wire, fiberglass, and/or other synthetic fiber. The size of the openings in the mesh may be relatively large compared to other mesh materials used in other applications, such as for keep debris and insects from passing through. A larger mesh opening may facilitate easier visibility through a window 104. However, smaller mesh openings can also be utilized as desired.

The screen 202 may be coupled to fabric that boarders the window 104. In some embodiments, the screen 202 may be removably coupled so that the screen 202 can be removed and/or replaced. In at least one example, the screen 202 may include a border of hook and loop material, such as the material commonly sold under the trademark VELCRO.

According to one or more embodiments, the window assembly 200 may further include an elastic material 204 coupled with the screen 202 to keep the screen 202 taut when the window 104 is in a closed position in the soft top 102. For example, a rubber or other elastic material 204 may be coupled around a border of the window assembly 200 as depicted. The screen 202 may be coupled to this rubber or other elastic material 204 in a manner so that the elastic material 204 is in tension when the window 104 is closed in the soft top 102. For example, the screen 202 may be shaped slightly smaller than the window 104 and coupled to the elastic material 204. As a result, when the window 104 is closed into the soft top 102 (e.g., zipped into a closed position), the slightly smaller shaped screen is pulled taut and the elastic material 204 stretches to account for the slightly smaller size. The tension in the elastic material 204 can pull the screen tautly across the window 104 so that there is no slack.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional schematic diagram of a soft top window assembly according to at least one example of the present disclosure. As shown, the flexible window 104 can be coupled with a fabric window structure 302. The fabric window structure 302 can be sewn, glued, welded, or otherwise coupled around a perimeter of the flexible window 104. In some embodiments, the fabric window structure 302 can be coupled between the flexible window 104 and a zipper 304. The zipper 304 can facilitate removal of the flexible window 104 from a soft top 102, and coupling the flexible window 104 to the soft top 102.

As shown, a first screen 202A is disposed over a first surface of the flexible window 104, and a second screen 202B can be disposed over a second surface of the flexible window 104. In the depicted embodiment, a respective elastic material 204 may be disposed around a perimeter of the first screen 202A and the second screen 202B, and coupled between the respective screen 202 and the window structure 302. In at least one embodiment, the elastic material 204 may be coupled to the window structure 302 by sewing the elastic material 204 to the window structure 302, or the elastic material 204 may be removably coupled with VELCRO or some other suitable means. Further, the screen 202 can also be sewed to the elastic material 204, or may be coupled with VELCRO. It should be understood that other techniques for coupling the elastic material 204 to one or both of the window structure 302 and the screen 202 may be used. For example, adhesives or other means may be employed.

As depicted, the screens 202A, 202B are both sized smaller than the flexible window 104. That is, the screens 202A, 202B have a smaller perimeter than the flexible window. As noted above, this facilitates the elastic material 204 exhibiting a tension on the screens 202A, 202B to pull them taut across the surface of the flexible window 104.

The various features associate with the examples described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings can be implemented in different examples and implementations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, although certain specific constructions and arrangements have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, such embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the scope of the disclosure, since various other additions and modifications to, and deletions from, the described embodiments will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A soft top window assembly, comprising: a flexible window coupled with a fabric window structure; and a first screen disposed over a first surface of the flexible window.
 2. The soft top window of claim 1, further comprising: a second screen disposed over a second surface of the flexible window.
 3. The soft top window of claim 1, further comprising: an elastic material disposed around a perimeter of the first screen and coupled between the window structure and the first screen.
 4. The soft top window of claim 3, wherein the first screen has a smaller perimeter than the flexible window.
 5. The soft top window of claim 1, further comprising: a zipper coupled to the flexible window around a perimeter of the flexible window.
 6. The soft top window of claim 1, wherein the first screen comprises a hook and loop connector around a perimeter thereof to facilitate removably disposing the first screen over the first surface of the flexible window.
 7. A vehicle soft top, comprising: a soft top structure configured to be coupled to a vehicle; at least one flexible window coupled to the soft top structure; and a first screen disposed over a first surface of the at least one flexible window.
 8. The vehicle soft top of claim 7, further comprising: a second screen disposed over a second surface of the flexible window.
 9. The vehicle soft top of claim 7, wherein the at least one flexible window is removably coupled to the soft top structure.
 10. The vehicle soft top of claim 9, wherein the at least one flexible window is removably coupled to the soft top structure by a zipper.
 11. The vehicle soft top of claim 7, further comprising: an elastic material coupled to the first screen around a perimeter thereof.
 12. The vehicle soft top of claim 11, wherein the first screen is sized smaller than the flexible window.
 13. The vehicle soft top of claim 7, wherein the first screen comprises a hook and loop connector around a perimeter thereof to facilitate removably disposing the first screen over the first surface of the flexible window.
 14. A vehicle, comprising: a roll bar; a soft top coupled to the roll bar, the soft top including at least one flexible window, and a first screen disposed over a first surface of the at least one flexible window.
 15. The vehicle of claim 14, further comprising: a second screen disposed over a second surface of the flexible window.
 16. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the at least one flexible window is removably coupled to the soft top.
 17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the at least one flexible window is removably coupled to the soft top by a zipper.
 18. The vehicle of claim 14, further comprising: an elastic material coupled to the first screen around a perimeter thereof.
 19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the first screen is sized smaller than the flexible window, and wherein the elastic material retains the first screen in tension over the first surface of the at least one flexible window.
 20. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the first screen comprises a hook and loop connector around a perimeter thereof to facilitate removably disposing the first screen over the first surface of the flexible window. 